Hexworthy
Firstly the hunt had jammed up our designated car park so a retreat to park near the Forest Inn was called for. Up the road to the start of the old mine track, which is quite obscured by gorse in places. The dew was coating the cobwebs on the gorse with a silvery sheen, quite magical. Are there really that many spiders at large. Unfortunately all the views were obscured by thick mist. (That’s unusual for Dartmoor ). So it was on past Horse Ford Cross and down past the ruins of the mine office and the barracks- thanks for all the information Anne. Over the O Brook on the large clapper bridge to turn right and pass the Henroost workings. Stopping in the largest girt for a coffee.
On round roughly following the line of the O Brook to cross it at Skir Ford. ( big mistake there ) The track followed on along the right bank for a while but suddenly became very gloopy and lumpy so a recrossing was called for and a more pleasant track found. Up towards Skir Gut and over another ford, this time on a better track. Compass out to keep us on track to emerge dead on Ter Hill crosses. The route from there to Deep Swincombe would normally be deep tussock all the way but someone had cut a large swathe down the hill possibly as a fire break. Round the head of Deep Swincombe to gain the wall at the first of the enclosures. A stop on a rocky bend for lunch then a quick exploration of what was marked on the map as a settlement in the next field. And so back to the cars in good time.
Mike